Harvard Is Dropping the Term "House Master"

The term used to refer to the 24 supervisors of residential dormitories at the college, all of whom are senior faculty members. It is being replaced by "faculty dean," the New York Times reports. Harvard is changing the label "in a spirit of diversity and 'an inclusive community.'"

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While its roots are in European academic models, "master" had been criticized for its slavery connotations and in December the college's academic dean announced that the house masters had unanimously agreed to change their title.

"Never before had the house leaders been so united in their belief that such a change is important to our efforts to create an intellectually, socially, and personally transformative experience for our students," Michael D. Smith, dean of the Harvard faculty of arts and sciences, wrote Wednesday in an email to faculty, staff members, and students.

He emphasized that the shift did not necessarily mean the "house master" term was "wrong," and that he had "not been shown any direct connection between the term house master and the institution of slavery."

"Faculty dean," Smith wrote, was chosen for its familiarity. He admitted that the change may not sit well with some alums: "Many alumni will remember house leaders as the master of their beloved house, and they should have no qualms in doing so," he wrote. "The term house master is and will remain a part of the college's long and proud history."

A similar change may not be far off at nearby MIT.

Earlier this month, the school's newspaper reported that its housemasters were in discussions to rename their position due to "feelings of offense." There, "head of house" seems to be the most popular candidate for alternative title.

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